9:58am: The Sixers also receive cash in the deal, the Knicks announced.
FRIDAY, 1:42am: The deal is official, the Sixers announced via press release.
THURSDAY, 10:27pm: The Knicks will acquire the rights to 35th overall pick Guillermo Hernangomez, a center from Spain, tweets Peter Botte of the New York Daily News. Ian Begley of ESPN.com (via Twitter) reports that New York will give up two future second-rounders in the deal. Hernangomez is regarded as an above average big man offensively, though his defense is considered sub par, which will potentially limit his playing time in the NBA.
Hernangomez would fill an immediate need for frontcourt depth with the Knicks, who won’t have a center on their roster come July 1st. It’s unclear if the 21-year-old is being looked at as a draft-and-stash pick, or if New York will attempt to bring the Spaniard over to the NBA in 2015/16. Hernangomez isn’t under contract with Balancesto Sevilla for next season, so there would be no complications on that front.
In 34 games for Sevilla last season, Hernangomez averaged 10.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in 21.1 minutes per contest. The big man’s slash line was .537/.167/.692. He has played the last five years on Spanish Junior National Teams, averaging 26.3 points and 13.2 rebounds in the 2013 FIBA under-19 world championships.
Need alot of help to explain/understand this one.
What’s not mentioned is that he is Porzingis’ former teammate and buddy. Makes sense since they need a big man and 2nd rounders usually turn into nothing anyway.